The wonderful thing about using our imaginations is that we can visit faraway places, even the bottom of the ocean! Follow the steps below for a fun sea-themed story time!

Step 1: Read!

Read Big Whales, Small World by Mark Leiren-Young on hoopla, a beautiful rhyming introduction to different kinds of whales. Looking for more ocean adventures? Check out the Narwhal and Jelly series by Ben Clanton on Overdrive for fun family reads, or borrow This is a Sea Cow by Cassandra Federman on hoopla to learn more about manatees (also known as sea cows!). What is your favorite ocean animal?

Step 2: Sing

You might know Baby Shark, but what about Baby Beluga? Listen to track one on Raffi’s Greatest Hits, available on hoopla. Sing along to the “Baby Beluga” chorus! This can lead to a fun letter game as well. Spend the rest of the day trying to find things that start with the letter “B.” How many can you find?

Step 3: Make a craft

Follow the instructions in this video to make a cute jellyfish!

Step 4: Discover

Check out the videos on the Shedd Aquarium’s Facebook page. Watch ocean animals swim and dig, and discover how they’re cared for by aquarium staff. You’ll learn interesting facts along the way. Did you know that eels yawn? What else did you learn?

– Laura, Youth Services Manager